Behold, The Badgermin

In case you missed this little gem when it was set loose on the interwebs in January, behold - one of the most bizarre musical instruments ever fashioned: the Badgermin. Dreamed up and constructed by UK-based engineer/sculptor David Cranmer, the Badgermin is a magical, mythical, nightmarish hybrid of 2 cult favorites: a Theremin - that mysterious hands-free box of an electric instrument that gave eerie b-movie sci-fi soundtracks their unmistakable alien spook; and a Badger - portly, tunnel-digging member of the skunk family, known for his tenacity and penchant for grumpiness (and most recently, a flamboyantly badass cousin, of the Honey variety).

To hear the Badgermin in action, you can find video on Cranmer's website. A friend and I were in general agreement that the Theremin commands enough novelty that anyone in it's presence will desperately want to hear it played... for all of about 60 seconds... after which everyone will wish for it to be unplugged. I'm not convinced that cloaking such an instrument in a Badger pelt changes that observation, though I give this project high marks just the same. Well played, Mr. Cranmer, well played.

(photos by David Cranmer)

Comments

[Dave]

This is too weird for words. Weirder yet - Someone should make an interface to a live animal (a dog perhaps) that would turn scratching the animal into sound/music.

[Natalya]

Wow, that would be a crazy interesting extension of this already crazy project! For the record, any instrument hooked up to Oscar would be silent 99% of the day, on account of the laziness... ;)

[Dave B.]

An unusual instrument indeed. As one who has a fondness electronic music, old sci-fi movies and natural history, I should think I'd have as much tolerance for the badgermin as anybody. I'd had enough after 25 seconds.

[Dave]

Hello,
I've just made a follow up to the Badgermin, called the Rave Kestrel:

www.nervoussquirrel.com/kestrel.html